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Leonardo Da Vinci - The Renaissance Man Documentary

The People Profiles・2 minutes read

Leonardo da Vinci, born in 1452 in Vinci, Italy, was a prominent figure in the High Renaissance, known for his diverse talents in art, engineering, and anatomy. He painted iconic works like "The Last Supper" and "Mona Lisa," showcasing his innovative techniques and contributions to various fields before passing away in France at the age of 67.

Insights

  • Leonardo da Vinci's early education encompassed diverse fields such as arithmetic, reading, writing, music, and farming techniques, reflecting a broad foundation that influenced his multidisciplinary approach to art and science.
  • Da Vinci's apprenticeship under Andrea del Verrocchio not only honed his skills in painting, stonemasonry, and engineering but also allowed him to contribute to Verrocchio's artworks at a young age, indicating his exceptional talent and early influence in the artistic realm.
  • Leonardo da Vinci's legacy extends beyond his artistic masterpieces, encompassing his pioneering work in anatomy through extensive dissections and anatomical drawings, showcasing his insatiable curiosity and scientific contributions that paralleled his artistic endeavors.

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Recent questions

  • Who was Leonardo da Vinci and where was he born?

    Leonardo da Vinci was a prominent figure born on April 15, 1452, in Vinci, Tuscany, Italy, to Ser Piero da Vinci and Caterina di Meo Lippi. He was a renowned artist, scientist, and inventor during the Renaissance period.

  • What were Leonardo da Vinci's early education and skills?

    Leonardo da Vinci's early education included arithmetic, reading, writing in Italian, and playing the lyre. He also learned farming techniques from his uncle Francesco and later trained in painting, stonemasonry, carving, casting bronze, drawing, mathematics, engineering, and music.

  • Where did Leonardo da Vinci move to in 1464, and why?

    In 1464, Leonardo da Vinci moved to Florence, a hub for the Renaissance, where he joined his father and began his artistic journey as an apprentice to the renowned sculptor and painter Andrea del Verrocchio. Florence was a center of artistic and intellectual activity during that time.

  • What famous artwork did Leonardo da Vinci paint under Andrea del Verrocchio?

    Leonardo da Vinci painted parts of Verrocchio's artworks, like the angel in "Baptism of Christ" and the fish in "Tobias and the Angel," showcasing his early talent and involvement in notable pieces during his apprenticeship.

  • What was Leonardo da Vinci's role in the "high Renaissance" period?

    Leonardo da Vinci, along with other artists like Michelangelo and Raphael, became a leading figure in the "high Renaissance," characterized by a peak in artistic and scientific achievements during the late 15th to mid-16th centuries. His innovative techniques and diverse talents contributed significantly to this period of artistic flourishing.

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Summary

00:00

Leonardo da Vinci: Renaissance Artist and Innovator

  • Leonardo da Vinci was born on April 15, 1452, in Vinci, Tuscany, Italy, to Ser Piero da Vinci, a prominent notary, and Caterina di Meo Lippi, a servant or possibly an enslaved woman.
  • Da Vinci's early education included arithmetic, reading, writing in Italian, and playing the lyre, along with learning farming techniques from his uncle Francesco.
  • In 1464, Leonardo moved to Florence, a hub for the Renaissance, where he joined his father and began his artistic journey as an apprentice to Andrea del Verrocchio.
  • Andrea del Verrocchio, a renowned sculptor and painter, ran a bottega in Florence, producing various artworks, including the monumental bronze sculpture "Christ and St. Thomas."
  • Verrocchio's workshop also crafted tombs for the Medici family, showcasing his influence and high-status connections in the artistic world.
  • Leonardo's apprenticeship under Verrocchio involved training in painting, stonemasonry, carving, casting bronze, drawing, mathematics, engineering, and music.
  • Some historians suggest that Leonardo painted parts of Verrocchio's artworks, like the angel in "Baptism of Christ" and the fish in "Tobias and the Angel," showcasing his early talent.
  • Leonardo's early works as an apprentice were created using tempera, a common Renaissance painting medium made with egg yolk, leading him to later experiment with oil painting.
  • Oil painting, popularized in Italy from the Netherlands, intrigued Leonardo due to its versatility and richness, influencing his artistic style and techniques.
  • Leonardo da Vinci, along with other artists like Michelangelo and Raphael, became a leading figure in the "high Renaissance," characterized by a peak in artistic and scientific achievements during the late 15th to mid-16th centuries.

16:03

Leonardo da Vinci: Artistic Journey and Innovations

  • Pigments mixed with linseed oils create a smooth paste texture for painting, allowing artists to adjust consistency by adding more medium.
  • Leonardo da Vinci completed his training under Verrocchio in 1472 and joined the Company of St. Luke, the painter’s guild of Florence.
  • Despite joining the guild, Leonardo continued as Verrocchio’s assistant until 1477, producing his first solo painting, “The Annunciation,” between 1472 and 1475.
  • In 1474, da Vinci painted the “Ginevra de’ Benci” portrait, possibly celebrating Ginevra’s wedding, with a reverse side featuring Latin inscriptions.
  • Between 1474 and 1478, da Vinci painted the “Madonna of the Carnation,” housed in Munich, Germany, with some parts damaged due to restoration attempts.
  • Da Vinci opened his workshop in 1477 but failed to complete his first commission for a nativity scene, later finished by Filippino Lippi.
  • In July 1481, da Vinci was commissioned to paint the “Adoration of the Magi” altarpiece for Augustinian monks, which he never fully completed.
  • Da Vinci moved to Milan in September 1481, commissioned by Duke Sforza, who aimed to make Milan a cultural powerhouse to rival Florence.
  • As the court musician for Sforza, da Vinci designed war machines and was eventually appointed as an engineer due to his innovative ideas.
  • In 1495, Ludovico Sforza commissioned da Vinci’s famous fresco, The Last Supper, painted on the dining room wall at the monastery of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, which underwent multiple restoration efforts due to degradation issues.

31:35

Leonardo da Vinci: Art, Engineering, and Mathematics

  • Interest in the intersection of mathematics and art led to a collaboration between mathematician Lucas Pacioli and Leonardo da Vinci on Divina Proportione in 1496.
  • Lucas Pacioli, born in 1445 in Sansepolcro, studied under Piero della Francesca and published works like Summa de arithmetica, geometria, proportioni et proportionalit in 1494.
  • The first book of Divina Proportione, a collaboration between da Vinci and Pacioli, explored the "golden ratio" for creating aesthetically pleasing results in art and architecture.
  • In 1499, French King Louis XII invaded Milan, leading to Ludovico Sforza's capture, prompting Leonardo, Salai, and Pacioli to flee to Mantua and then Venice.
  • In Venice, Leonardo offered his services as a military engineer during the Ottoman Empire's siege, designing diving equipment and underwater defense mechanisms.
  • By 1502, Leonardo worked as a military engineer for Cesare Borgia, Pope Alexander VI's son, aiding in his attempts to control central Italy.
  • In 1503, Leonardo began painting the Mona Lisa, believed to be a portrait of Lisa Gherardini, which he worked on for four years and kept until his death.
  • Around 1507, Leonardo became the court artist of King Louis XII of France, working on various projects and architectural plans for French nobleman Charles d' Amboise.
  • Da Vinci's unfinished projects led to requests from d' Amboise and the Signoria of Florence to complete works, showcasing his tendency for experimentation and diverse talents.
  • Scholars speculate on da Vinci's relationships with his apprentices, like Giovanni Francesco de' Melzi, and his interest in geology and botany, as seen in his notes and observations.

46:47

Da Vinci's Life and Legacy in France

  • In 1937, a replica of the destroyed Regisole statue was commissioned by Francesco Messina to celebrate Emperor Augustus' bimillennial anniversary.
  • Leonardo da Vinci extensively studied human anatomy during his "Second Milanese Period," with evidence found in his notebooks and anatomical sketches.
  • Da Vinci drew one of the first known drawings of a child in a womb around 1512 and collaborated with anatomist Marc Antonio dalla Torre in 1510.
  • Da Vinci dissected over 30 human corpses, resulting in around 200 anatomical drawings, motivated by curiosity rather than painting needs.
  • The Sforzas attempted to regain power in Milan in 1512, but were pushed out by the combined forces of France and Venice.
  • Leonardo lived with Francesco Melzi in Rome from 1513 to 1516, assisting in draining the Pontine marshes at the request of Pope Leo X.
  • Da Vinci settled in France in 1516, becoming the official painter for King Francis I, where he created his famous self-portrait and passed away in 1519 at the age of 67.
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